A federal home equity loan program polled badly in Privy Council research with focus group skeptics calling it a “Band-Aid solution”. Few heard of the CMHC plan, and few liked it once it was explained: “There was low to moderate interest in the idea.”
A plague of bed bugs in federal buildings in Ottawa and Gatineau, Que. has cost a million dollars to date. Contractors were hired to inspect and fumigate thirty-four buildings. At Canada Post headquarters, authorities called in dog teams to search for insects: “Bed bugs are making a comeback.”
A cabinet advisory panel yesterday recommended internet news media register with the government under the Broadcasting Act subject to federal “codes of conduct”. The panel did not explain how the law would be enforced. The CBC would ensure quality in news coverage, advisors said: “The enforcement issue is a different issue.”
Millions in a federal climate change venture went unspent due to cumbersome paperwork, says a Department of Public Safety audit. The program to warn homeowners who live on flood plains expires in March: “Various reasons were provided.”
Federal equity loans for first-time homebuyers saw limited take-up in the first quarter of the program, data show. Cabinet had predicted 100,000 borrowers would apply for loans from CMHC: “The numbers just don’t add up.”
The Commons yesterday ordered a federal investigation of one of Parliament’s costliest programs. A Conservative motion mandating an audit of $186.7 billion in subsidies for roads, bridges and other public works passed by a vote of 166 to 152 over cabinet objections: “What we need is more transparency.”
The Toronto-Dominion Bank faces a $391,730 lawsuit for failing in its “duty of care” to an 81-year old depositor victimized by fraudsters. Lawyers in the case cited the Bank’s own guide describing “red flags” for tellers in monitoring suspicious withdrawals: ‘It seems the Bank’s unstated position is that it owes no duty of care at all.’
A CBC commentator in 2019 received a five-figure contract to provide media coaching for a federal cabinet minister, according to records. Amanda Alvaro yesterday did not respond to questions. CBC ethics guidelines require disclosure of “specific interest” of any pundit: “Spoiler alert, guys, I’m a Liberal.”
Federal lawyers billed more than $130,000 in a failed bid to blacklist two media outlets from attending national TV election debates, accounts show. A federal judge called the government’s action against Rebel News Network Ltd. and the True North Centre for Public Policy “troubling”, “unreasonable” and “procedurally unfair”.
Green MPs yesterday said they will propose a statutory ban on corporate directorships held by senators. Serving in the Chamber should be a full-time job solely focused on public good, said Green House Leader Elizabeth May: “Most Canadians would be shocked.”
More than 50,000 illegal immigrants ordered removed from Canada remain in the country, say cabinet records. Appeals by individuals take more than two years to process: “Each individual’s case has its own complexities.”
Cabinet inflated claimed benefits of a 2019 tax cut, Parliamentary Budget Office data showed yesterday. Finance Minister Bill Morneau said an increase in the basic personal exemption would save working people $300 a year, though data confirm the largest benefits go to tax-filers earning more than $100,000: “They have got Robin Hood backwards.”
Environment Canada in Access To Information records complained it ran out of computers after spending millions on new computers. Managers said centralizing computer purchases was complicated: ‘It is not ideal.’
A $20 million program to pay women to become trade apprentices hasn’t worked, say labour department auditors. Few women, only 400 nationwide, applied for grants though they pay $3,000 a year: “The grants had no impact.”
Canada Post has agreed to research a pilot project on retail banking, a union said yesterday. Employees have long sought a return of postal banks disbanded in 1968 following complaints from retail banks: “There are so many people who don’t have financial services.”
